[Tee tiong huat]

The republic was one of just 14 countries to vote against a 2022 United Nations resolution calling on Russia to pay war reparations to Ukraine. The Central African Republic. Now China is in...Africa too.

CAR, has signaled its plans to be a lasting importer of Russian grain and foodstuffs.  A visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Mali’s foreign minister pledged to deepen economic ties between the two countries—and blasted Western efforts to sanction Russia. When a coup brought a new military faction to power in Burkina Faso last fall. Prigozhin statement congratulating the coup plotters and their struggle against “colonialists.

To Plotters: Like Putin is dreading, still dreaming to take their time, struggle against “colonialists.

Soon...arrive any day now. They’re only new to Ukraine. In fact, Kyiv’s first batch of 18 supersonic, single-engine F-16s is coming from Dutch air force stocks. Dutch have begun retiring their F-16s after decades of hard use, freeing up money, crews and ramp space for a fleet of brand-new F-35 stealth fighters.

The ex-Dutch F-16s are representative of the new-old planes that Ukraine’s foreign allies have pledged to stabilize the war effort to stop Russia for bullying Ukraine . The Netherlands, Denmark and Norway together are offering as many as 60 F-16s. All of the jets are around 40 years old. (Better then the old Mig-29)

As Lockheed Martin-made F-16s have been deeply upgraded. Yes, they represent a major boost in air-defense and ground-attack capability for the beleaguered Ukrainian air force. No, these particular jets are not a long-term solution to Ukraine’s aerial needs.

After a few hundred hours of hard flying that further stresses their aging airframes, the ex-Dutch jets might become unsafe for their pilots. Planes might rack up those hours in just a couple of years. (For ONLY few year).

As Russia’s wider war in Ukraine grinds toward its third year, with no signs of slowing – to say nothing of ending – it’s time for planners in Kyiv to think long-term. What jets should the Ukrainian air force ask for, or buy, to succeed the weary F-16s?
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/comment/2...et-gripen/